Choosing one or more camping lanterns for your next outing is important.
The right lantern means convenience and safety. Choose either gas or electric
for your camp light, or both.

Camping Lanterns

Your camping lantern can make all the difference in your
outdoor enjoyment.

It does not matter what type of camping you are doing, good lighting at
night is important. Camping lanterns have been part of camping since
the pioneer had kerosene lanterns. Your modern covered wagon still needs
light outside at night. You have so many more lantern and lighting choices
today than just a few years back. Maybe you need the brightness of a propane
or gas power light, the coolness of an electric florescent lantern or maybe
the soft glow of your patio lights.

A large propane tank with a "tree" attached allows you to run
your Bar-B-Que and one or more other gas appliances. You can attached a
propane lantern to the top of the "tree" or run a gas hose to
a table top lantern. Be sure your mounting is done safely.

Here is an article written by Nick Smith. Although Nick is a tent camper
his article is just as appropriate for RVers.

Let There Be Light, Part 1  The Camping Lantern

The only thing worse than setting up a tent in the rain is setting up a
tent in the rain in the dark. That is a lesson I learned all too well while
trying to set up camp in the middle of the night during a cold New England
thunderstorm. Having the right camping lantern can be the difference between
a camping trip you'll never forget and one you wish you could.

A good camping lantern is usually one of two styles - gas or battery -
and the right one for you depends on the type of camping you'll be doing,
the amount of gear you can afford to take, and what you'll be doing while
you're camping.

Gas Camping Lanterns

Gas-powered lanterns typically provide the brightest light of the two types,
though most are adjustable so you can conserve fuel when you don't need
as much light. They usually do better in the cold than do battery-powered
lanterns. There are a number of different types of fuel available, including
propane, butane, dual fuel, and kerosene. If you live in an area where white
gas (butane, propane, etc.) is not readily available, dual fuel lanterns
are probably the best option because they allow you use unleaded gas. You
usually can't go wrong if you choose a lantern that uses the same fuel as
your camp stove.

Though it may seem obvious to most, it is worth mentioning that all of
these fuels are extremely flammable, and any time you change or refill tanks
you should be far away from any open flames or flame sources. Also, because
of the nature of system, gas camping lanterns can become very hot, and while
in use they should be kept out of children's easy reach.

Necessary equipment besides the lantern and fuel includes spare mantels
and a way to light the lantern. Most new lanterns come with electric ignitions,
so you won't have to worry about including matches or a barbecue lighter
in your supplies for the lantern (don't forget them if you plan on having
a fire or cooking something!). You'll need to get a protective carrying
case as most lanterns don't come with one included. Optional equipment includes
a lantern reflector to redirect light escaping out of the back of the lantern,
and a stand to hang your lantern in a central place in camp. Gas camping
lanterns are not practical options if you'll be hiking to where you'll be
camping, so you'll need to consider another lighting option.

Battery-Powered Camping Lanterns

Battery-powered camping lanterns make up in convenience anything they may
lose in other categories. With a little bit of searching you'll be able
to find lanterns that use every size and type of battery, and you will be
hard pressed to find a gas station or convenient store that doesn't sell
batteries. Though not as bright as their gas-powered counterparts, battery-powered
lanterns put out plenty of light. On many you can adjust the brightness.

One of their biggest advantages is that they are safe to take inside tents,
cars, or other enclosed space. You should never take a gas-burning lantern
into a tent or car because of the risk of fire. Depending on the type of
light bulb, battery-powered lanterns don't ever get very hot, so they are
safer to use around children. They don't do as well in the cold as gas lanterns,
so if you're planning any cold weather camping trips, you'll need to consider
whether you should have a gas lantern available.

Battery-powered camping lanterns, though sometimes less bulky than gas
lanterns, typically are a little larger than you would ever want to carry
with you on a hike. Some flashlights feature a lantern option - you sacrifice
quite a bit in the way of brightness, but you lose a lot of the bulk, which
makes them good hiking options. Additional equipment you should have on
hand in addition to the lantern includes extra batteries, spare light bulbs,
and optionally a lantern stand that you can put in a central spot in camp.

Which Brand Should I Get?

The brand of lantern you should get depends on what you need and how much
you're willing to spend. There are a lot of quality camping lanterns out
there. Some have a few more bells and whistles than others. Some cost more
than others. The best way to shop for a lantern is first, decide which type
of lantern you'll need; and second, shop around for the best price. You'll
usually find the best deals online, though retail stores and outdoors warehouses
also have great prices sometimes. The most important thing to remember is
to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, even if it's dark.

About the Author
Nick Smith is an outdoor enthusiast and client account specialist with 10x
Marketing - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. If you need a camping
lantern, check out Bargaintable.com. (EDITORS NOTE: This link is one provided by Smith)